Converting a 1911 to 32acp

I was interested in an earlier suggestion about converting a 30 cal Luger to the 32 acp. Well that and all the other earlier posts. We sorta stole the 38 special thread so I thought it would be appropriate to start over. I did it in General because were talking both about changes to existing equipment and or different ammo.
  I checked out the 30 Luger and found some interesting things. The bore is the same and you would reload using the same bullets as the 32 acp. However the cartridge itself is bigger and you could never make a 32 out of the 30 cal. I started checking out the 32 S&W using my brand new 50th edition of the Lyman reloading manual and it had promise. Until it didn't. Apparently Lyman got the technical info for the 38 S&W on the 32 S&W page. None of the 32's can actually work in the 30 Luger barrel. I still think I could make the Kimber conversion work. Firing pin and bolt face toughest but magazine would be easy. I played with my Nelson mags and could make them work with several passes of a file. I think.

Len

How is the barrel to slide fit done in Kimber? Nelson design is great because the sights are mounted on the same piece as the barrel.
Also, if I'm not mistaken, the Kimber slide is made from aluminum, apparently this is not an issue with .22 but could it be an issue with the larger caliber?

I am not sure. I think the frame would hold up. The 32 does not have much more recoil then a 22. Combine that with a larger spring and a micro and should be like a .22 short. They have only had 100yrs to work on it and there are no production 32 acp in a 1911 so this might be an exercise in futility but still going to play with the idea.

Len

I like the idea.  I hope it works out.

32 s&w long wadcutter might be an easier path than 32 acp.

I looked through some dimensions once and it looked plausible.  Overall length for 32 wadcutters is ok in the magazine well and the case head would be bigger than acp and fairly close to 9mm, also gnarling a magazine into 38 wadcutter has been done, and 32 cal barrel liners are available.

I have a 1911 32acp barrel if someone is looking for a project

Chris Miceli wrote:I have a 1911 32acp barrel if someone is looking for a project

Chris, is the barrel set up like a typical 1911 that locks up or is it set up for blow back like a 1911 22 conversion?
- Dave

Oh and by the way congrats!

dronning wrote:

Chris Miceli wrote:I have a 1911 32acp barrel if someone is looking for a project

Chris, is the barrel set up like a typical 1911 that locks up or is it set up for blow back like a 1911 22 conversion?
- Dave

Oh and by the way congrats!

Typical lock up